In 1987 Ian and his wife moved to England so that he could pursue his doctoral studies. He completed his PhD in mathematics in 1990 and returned to New Zealand in 1994, settling in Auckland. In 1998 the Nield family moved back to Lower Hutt.

In 1987 Ian and his wife moved to England so that he could pursue his doctoral studies. He completed his PhD in mathematics in 1990 and returned to New Zealand in 1994, settling in Auckland. In 1998 the Nield family moved back to Lower Hutt.

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By 1998 it had become painfully obvious that Ian could no longer call the Anglican Church his ecclesial home. After a period of instruction the whole family was received into the Orthodox Church on Palm Sunday, 1999.

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By 1998 it had become painfully obvious that Ian could no longer call the Anglican Church his ecclesial home. After a period of instruction the whole family was received into the Orthodox Church on Palm Sunday ([[April 4]]), 1999.

Dr Nield was asked on several occasions by Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul Saliba]] to take up ordained ministry. In late 2002, Ian recognised this calling and accepted His Eminence's request that he be the priest to the mission in Wellington. Consequently he was ordained to the [[deacon|diaconate]] and the [[priest]]hood in January 2003, and serves as head of mission in Wellington. Fr Ian serves Eastern rite in Wellington and [[Western Rite]] in Lower Hutt on alternating weeks.

Dr Nield was asked on several occasions by Metropolitan Archbishop [[Paul (Saliba) of Australia and New Zealand|Paul Saliba]] to take up ordained ministry. In late 2002, Ian recognised this calling and accepted His Eminence's request that he be the priest to the mission in Wellington. Consequently he was ordained to the [[deacon|diaconate]] and the [[priest]]hood in January 2003, and serves as head of mission in Wellington. Fr Ian serves Eastern rite in Wellington and [[Western Rite]] in Lower Hutt on alternating weeks.

Biography

Ian James Nield was born in Oldham, England in 1961. He was christened in October 1961 at Saint Margaret's Church, Hollinwood and was brought up as a High Church Anglican. With his parents he moved to New Zealand in 1970.

He was educated at various schools in New Zealand and England in the 1970's before commencing his studies at the University of Waikato in 1980. There was no Anglican chaplaincy at university so he sought the pastoral oversight of the Roman Catholic chaplains on campus, Fr Gerald Quin and Fr Graham Alexander. It was at university he met his future wife Joanne - they were married at Saint James Anglican Church, Lower Hutt, NZ, by Canon Stuart Anderson in 1986.

In 1987 Ian and his wife moved to England so that he could pursue his doctoral studies. He completed his PhD in mathematics in 1990 and returned to New Zealand in 1994, settling in Auckland. In 1998 the Nield family moved back to Lower Hutt.

By 1998 it had become painfully obvious that Ian could no longer call the Anglican Church his ecclesial home. After a period of instruction the whole family was received into the Orthodox Church on Palm Sunday (April 4), 1999.

Dr Nield was asked on several occasions by Metropolitan Archbishop Paul Saliba to take up ordained ministry. In late 2002, Ian recognised this calling and accepted His Eminence's request that he be the priest to the mission in Wellington. Consequently he was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood in January 2003, and serves as head of mission in Wellington. Fr Ian serves Eastern rite in Wellington and Western Rite in Lower Hutt on alternating weeks.

Fr Ian has served on the Archdiocesan board of trustees since September 2000 and assists the Dean, V. Rev. Fr Jack Witbrock in the administration of the Deanery of New Zealand.

Fr Ian has fulltime secular employment as a senior official at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. He holds degrees in Physics and Mathematics and has professional qualifications in Finance.